Sargassum at Anse Turin (Saint-Pierre): today's conditions
Clear
Easy going
Anse Turin lies in the north of Martinique, in the commune of Saint-Pierre, where dark volcanic sand meets the slopes running down from Mount Pelée. The shore looks west, on the Caribbean side of the island.
The page gives you today's sargassum reading for Anse Turin: a score from 0 to 5, a map of the north Caribbean stretch between Le Prêcheur and Fort-de-France, and the same information for the coves next door. It is rebuilt every morning, before the first swimmers arrive, so the picture you read matches the coast this morning, not a broad seasonal trend.
Anse Turin on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Two things work in this cove's favour. Geography comes first: Saint-Pierre sits on the leeward coast and far north. Sargassum riding the trade winds meets the Atlantic side of Martinique, and anything that reaches Anse Turin has either rounded the northern tip or drifted all the way up the Caribbean shore, a long trip during which rafts tend to break apart.
Relief does the rest. Below Mount Pelée the slope drops away quickly and the coastal shelf stays narrow, leaving few shallows where floating mats can settle close to shore. None of that makes the north coast immune. It means episodes here are usually short and often follow a shift in wind direction, which is exactly the kind of day the morning score is built to catch.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Anse Turin see so little sargassum?
It benefits from two shields: a leeward, west-facing coast protected from the trade winds, and a northern position far from the Atlantic drift corridors. Rafts have to travel a long way around before reaching Saint-Pierre.
How do I check the beach before driving up to Saint-Pierre?
Open this page in the morning. FanGass publishes a 0 to 5 score and a map of the north Caribbean coast refreshed daily, including the coves at Le Carbet and Le Prêcheur for comparison.
Is the sand really dark here?
Yes, it is grey to black volcanic sand carried down from Mount Pelée. Colour has no bearing on where seaweed lands, but the surface heats fast in full sun, so sandals are worth packing.
When should I watch the north coast most closely?
Caribbean sargassum season broadly runs from April to October, yet on this leeward shore landings depend on currents wrapping around the island. An episode can therefore arrive outside the peaks reported elsewhere.